Labour M.P. for Rutherglen and Hamilton West Tom Greatrex says problems in the U.K. with Atos Healthcare conducting work capability assessments on long-term claimants of incapacity benefits are worse than ever.

That's despite Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw defending the decision to appoint them here for a six month trial period, saying the Isle of Man Government had sat back until the procedure had been refined and problems ironed out.

Mr. Robertshaw wouldn't reveal the cost of the appointment in the House of Keys yesterday claiming it was commercially sensitive information.

Mr. Greatrex, who is currently the Shadow Energy Minister, has been a long-time critic of Atos.

He believes the test they use is too simplified, causes great stress to people, can't be applied to all cases and has led to a huge number of expensive appeals.

And he says the Manx public deserve to know how much the contract with Atos is costing:-